What was your conference project?

I studied three different types of theatre in England and found common themes of duality in each. I focused on Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett, and Tom Stoppard. The result was a paper and then a presentation for the class, along with a pamphlet that condensed my ideas.

How did faculty support you?

When I first met with Fiona Wilson, she understood my ideas and my thought processes. I ended up asking her to be my don. The type of feedback—and the way she conducted our conference meetings—was very much in line with the way I wanted to learn. With her I found a place where I could be supported academically by somebody I respected—and somebody who I really wanted to be part of my academic journey at Sarah Lawrence.

What have you learned from your conference work?

I’ve learned that I have the ability to create my own ideas and that they are valid. Conference puts a microscope on each student and helps all of us find what’s interesting and enlightening. It gives us an avenue to explore. Conference has always made me feel like I am capable of great intellectual work—that my ideas matter and that my voice can be heard.